Paul Vallely: Putin Wants Control of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the Ukraine back under his country's control and will strive to keep it away from Western influence, even as the deadly violence continues, Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely says.

"It looks like it's heading toward Putin trying to recapture, in a way, Ukraine back into his fold, versus Ukraine siding with the west, and it's going to get more violent," Vallely told "The Steve Malzberg Show" on Newsmax TV.

"The question is will the military fire against its own people, or will it join in the revolt? … We can't answer that at this time."
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The violence between anti-government protesters and security forces has resulted in at least 70 deaths and hundreds of injuries.

The White House has blamed President Viktor Yanukovych's government for the bloodbath and called for the immediate withdrawal of security forces and the right of protesters to gather peacefully.

"We urge the Ukrainian military not to get involved in a conflict that can and should be resolved by political means. ... The United States will work with our European allies to hold those responsible for violence accountable," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Vallely, chairman of Stand Up America and a Fox News military analyst, said President Barack Obama's words are toothless.

"It's all words with him. There's no action," Vallely said.

The protests, which have been in progress for several weeks, were partially triggered by Yanukovych's rejection of a pending trade treaty with the European Union and his acceptance of more aid from Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the Ukraine back under his country's control and will strive to keep it away from Western influence, even as the deadly violence continues, Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely says.